601 prisoners nationwide are part of early release programme
PETALING JAYA: Some 600 prisoners from across the country will get to be home under an early release programme being held in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.
The Prisons Department said 601 inmates from 34 prison institutions nationwide have been chosen to be released under licence, as part of the Madani Ihsan Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL), after they displayed good behaviour during their sentence and participated in rehabilitation schemes.
Reunited: A prisoner (centre) meeting his family after being released from Marang Prison as part of the PBSL programme. — Bernama
Female inmates are also among those selected – three from Kajang Women’s Prison and one from Kota Kinabalu Women’s Prison.
The department revealed that the youngest of these chosen inmates is aged 21, while the oldest is 68. “Inmates from every state have been chosen,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The department added that the programme aims to strengthen family bonds and provide a second chance to prisoners who have demonstrated positive change, as well as to support the holistic rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners.
“The department believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to improve themselves and return to contributing positively to society.”
It said that those selected will be given a licence to complete the remainder of their sentence outside prison and will not be required to report to a nearby police station.
However, the released inmates will be closely supervised by a district parole officer during the PBSL period and will be required to visit the parole office for intervention programmes.
“We hope the public will accept those given a second chance openly and assist them in their adjustment and rehabilitation process within the community,” the department said, adding that none of the released inmates will be equipped with an electronic monitoring device.
